With stringent Covid curbs in India, the IPL was held from September 19 to November 10 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Indian cricket board earned “Rs 4,000 crore” in income from the IPL within the UAE, TV viewership was “about 25 per cent greater than final yr”, and over 30,000 RT-PCR Covid checks have been carried out for a complete of 1,800 people with none of the 60 matches being affected by the pandemic.
This, based on BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal, is the report card on the finish of the high-profile T20 league. This yr’s IPL was additionally India’s first main sporting match for the reason that Covid outbreak began spreading throughout the globe in February.
Dhumal, nonetheless, didn’t focus on the breakup of income or viewership for the match that was held with out spectators within the stands because of the pandemic. Organisers have been banking on the five-year broadcast and media rights deal signed in 2017 with Star price Rs 16,347 crore.
With stringent Covid curbs in India, the IPL was held from September 19 to November 10 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. However, Dhumal advised The Indian Express, the match was unsure with barely two months to go when World No.1 tennis participant Novak Djokovic examined optimistic after enjoying exhibition matches in Serbia and Croatia.
Recalling a dialog with BCCI secretary Jay Shah, Dhumal stated: “After that report (about Djokovic testing optimistic) got here in, we have been in two minds. Many individuals advised us to not go forward with it (IPL). What if one thing occurs to a participant? The IPL would go on for nearly three months. Nevertheless, Jay stated we must always go forward, he was extra assured than all of us.”
Dhumal stated: “The Board managed to chop practically 35 per cent of the fee as in comparison with the final IPL. We earned Rs 4,000 crore in the course of the pandemic time. Our TV viewership went about 25 per cent increased, we bought the highest-ever opening recreation (Mumbai Indians versus Chennai Tremendous Kings) viewership. Those that doubted us got here and thanked us for internet hosting the IPL. Had this IPL not occurred, cricketers would have misplaced one yr.”
In line with different BCCI officers, the board obtained two formal invites to host the IPL — from the UAE and Sri Lankan boards. The board determined to go together with the UAE because it had hosted the IPL earlier, and groups may journey by bus to succeed in the stadium, which value much less.
Subsequently, an official stated, the small print have been firmed up via over 40 convention calls that “lasted for countless hours”. There have been digital conferences, too, on guaranteeing gamers’ security, and tying up with tech firm Restrata for a bio-secure bubble. The BCCI despatched its key workers to Dubai prematurely who took the “further precaution” of boarding solely flights with 20 per cent occupancy, an official stated.
In the meantime, a Normal Working Process (SOP) was labored out with specialists, at the same time as officers alerted IPL groups on reserving chartered flights prematurely and gave resort choices at a reduced price. Senior officers additionally carried out a number of digital conferences with IPL house owners, adopted by interactions with gamers to reply queries.
Most groups had over 40 members of their squads, with Mumbai Indians rising as the biggest contingent with over 150 members, together with a tailor, a make-up artist and a hair-dresser. “In case we had any Covid instances, the board had blocked 200 rooms individually in order that sufferers will be quarantined and solely be a part of as soon as they’ve absolutely recovered,” Dhumal stated.
The primary setback got here a couple of days after the groups reached Dubai, when Chennai Tremendous Kings noticed a dozen members take a look at optimistic, together with two gamers. “After we heard the information, we tried to grasp whether or not it’s asymptomatic or critical. We have been advised all are asymptomatic. So all went below isolation and we glided by all well being authorities’ recommendation. We should thank the UAE, which stood with us each second,” Dhumal stated.
Then, there was an “difficulty” in Abu Dhabi the place “authorities have been reluctant to provide any concession to the quarantine interval”.
Whereas Dubai had relaxed it and allowed gamers to coach after seven days, Abu Dhabi had a compulsory rule the place people coming from outdoors must endure 14 days’ quarantine. Abu Dhabi was residence of IPL successful staff Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. “The BCCI secretary managed to persuade the Abu Dhabi authorities to make it shorter,” Dhumal stated.
